Rauner Ups Ante With Budget Reform Plan

(Springfield, IL) — Governor Bruce Rauner’s newest salvo in the battle of the budget is what he calls a massive pension reform bill. It covers issues raised by Chicago, Cook County and downstate. Rauner says he consulted with Senate President John Cullerton and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on the five-hundred-page bill, though Rauner isn’t releasing details of the bill just yet. Rauner challenged House Speaker Michael Madigan to pass these reforms and others or pass a tax hike over his opposition to achieve a balanced budget.